Studies on melatonin-free pineal extract.
This paper offers the data accumulated in time, on preparation, partial purification, physico-chemical and biologic characterization of the melatonin-free pineal extract. Purification by ultrafiltration of the extract obtained from bovine pineal yielded two fractions: one above and one below 10,000 daltons. Administration of these two fractions in parallel with total pineal extracts, to the rat caused a fall in the serum LH and FSH levels in basal conditions and under endogenous or exogenous stimulation with gonadotropin releasing hormone, with a consecutive fall in testosterone. The results obtained by RIA, of LH, FSH and testosterone were also supported by the specific biologic tests for LH and FSH. The intervention of the pineal in the pituitary-gonadal axis as well as the chemical nature of the pineal antigonadotropic factors are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006066:Gonads / Q000187:drug effects; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin; D010870:Pineal Gland; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D014462:Ultrafiltration
D014020:Tissue Extracts; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008550:Melatonin